Casino games using seven-card combinations

ABSTRACT

Multiple hand ranks for casino poker games may be achieved in poker variations using a seven-card hand. A best five-card hand may be achieved using conventional principles, or hand ranks may be determined using all seven cards. The latter playing mode provides increased payoff options for added player excitement.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(NOT APPLICABLE)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to casino games and, more particularly, to casino games utilizing seven-card hands and poker hand rankings.

With the expansion of gaming and the increase in competition, casinos are striving to offer a wider variety of games. Many casinos, however, are reluctant to reduce the number of conventional games as such games are typically understood by casual players and are preferred by regular players. Moreover, conventional games are largely based on simple concepts and procedures that are easy to understand and follow. For the casino operators, many of the conventional games require relatively low overhead to maintain and monitor.

It is thus desirable for any new game to be premised on conventional concepts that would not require explanation or understanding of complicated rules for players and dealers.

Poker and poker variations have existed in casinos for many years. In casino poker rooms, players play against each other, and the casino takes a commission from each pot. Many variations of video poker exist and offer players an opportunity for high payouts on low wagers based on a scale depending on a poker rank of the players' final hand. Other poker derivatives such as Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, and Three Card Poker are table game poker variations where players play poker against either the dealer, a scale or both.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to provide a casino game poker variation using seven-card hands, where the best five- or seven-card hand is used to determine a poker rank of a resulting hand. In the seven-card game, players have a better opportunity to make a five-card premium poker rank, which leads to heightened player excitement. Using all seven cards to determine a hand rank enables casinos to offer very high odds, which also adds to player excitement. Still higher odds can be offered in a seven-card game using multiple decks where, for example, a hand of seven-of-a-kind could be attained. Such a hand could have payouts as high as 4000 to 1 or higher. Still further, players may be attracted to a game where the payout is based on a scale, and the pay scale starts at hand ranks low enough that the players perceive is easy to attain in a seven-card hand.

Many casual players understand the concepts of poker, and poker variations using seven-card hands can be derived without complicated rules and play methodologies. Such a game would thus be desirable to both players and casinos.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary table layout for a Blackjack game including a seven-card side wager;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary table layout for a seven-card Showdown poker game; and

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot for a seven-card draw video poker game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention embodies variations on seven-card casino games preferably using poker hand rankings against a payoff scale.

With a 7-card game, one playing mode may include payouts based on the best 5-card hands from the seven dealt cards. Alternatively, and preferably according to the present invention, all seven cards of a player's final hand are used to determine a hand rank for payout purposes. In this context, different hand ranks can be attained based on a number of decks of cards used in the game. With a single deck, the 7-card hand ranks from highest to lowest are:

-   -   Straight Flush     -   Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind     -   Flush     -   Four of a Kind+Pair     -   Three of a Kind+Three of a Kind     -   Three of a Kind+Two Pair     -   Straight     -   Four of a Kind     -   Three Pair     -   Three of a Kind+Pair     -   Three of Kind     -   Two Pair     -   Pair     -   High Card

With six decks, the 7-card hand ranks from highest to lowest are:

-   -   Seven of a Kind     -   Straight Flush     -   Six of a Kind     -   Five of a Kind+Pair     -   Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind     -   Flush     -   Five of a Kind     -   Straight     -   Three of a Kind+Three of a Kind     -   Four of a Kind+Pair     -   Three of a Kind+Two Pair     -   Four of a Kind     -   Three Pair     -   Three of a Kind+Pair     -   Three of a Kind     -   Two Pair     -   Pair     -   High Card

With six decks, certain hands can be both Flushes and other hands. These hands could attract relatively higher payoffs and dedicated hand rank status. The list above gives hand ranks in sequence assuming that Flushes are ranked as Flushes unless they are higher ranked than Flush such as Six of a Kind, Five of a Kind+Pair, and Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind. A lowest ranking hand for the pay scale preferably starts at Two Pair for single deck play and at Three of a Kind for six deck play.

21+7

A first embodiment of the invention is an expansion of U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,719 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,274, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The first embodiment provides card games that combine the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a 7-card Poker side wager (“21+7”). A preferred embodiment of the invention is used in connection with a casino-type Blackjack table and one or more standard decks of 52 playing cards. FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) 10 of the Blackjack table which includes a primary betting area 12 for each of a plurality of players, which in this exemplary layout is three players. Primary betting area 12 includes three wager areas 13 for the placement of a Blackjack wager on each of three hands. According to the present invention, in order to place the Poker side wager, each player is required to play and wager on three Blackjack hands. Playing surface 10 also includes a secondary betting area 14, corresponding with each area 12, for an optional 7-card side wager. In addition, playing surface 10 includes a dealer area 16, displays of a predetermined payoff scale 20, and displays of predetermined game rules 18. As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, the predetermined payoff scales and game rules used in a particular embodiment can be based on the teachings of the invention and well known gaming principles and casino specific requirements. Other wager areas and/or information can be displayed on playing surface 10, such as the “21+7” promotional markings illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, each player must place at least one Blackjack wager at betting area 12 in order to participate in the game and three Blackjack wagers at betting area 12 in order to place the 7-card side wager. Each player who placed three Blackjack wagers then has the option to place an additional 7-card side wager at betting area 14. In an alternative playing mode of the invention, both the Blackjack and side wagers may be required. Additional wagers and wager features can be practiced with the invention as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The allowable limit of the side wagers (placed in area 14) is preferably governed by both predetermined game rules 20 and the Blackjack wagers (placed in area 12). For example, with each player having separate hands and with a payoff scale with a highest payoff similar to Craps or Roulette, an embodiment of the invention can be operated with a minimum side wager equal to a table minimum for Blackjack, typically $5 or more. In addition, a maximum side wager for a player can be set to the first hand side wager made by that player after each shuffle or at the beginning of that shoe. This would negate the impact of well-known techniques such as card counting, shuffle tracking, and card locating used by proficient players.

Once the wagers have been placed, a dealer then deals, in rotation, each player a first card for each hand and the dealer receives a face-up card. Each player, again in rotation, is then dealt a second card for each hand and the dealer receives a second or hole card (face-down). The dealer face-up card can actually be dealt face-down initially until after all player second cards have been dealt and then turned over. This adds a communal excitement for the players that have a chance of a winning hand based on each of the two known player cards. The second face-down card can alternatively be retained in the deck. In accordance with the invention, a 7-card side wager hand consists of the three 2-card hands that player was dealt and the dealer's face-up card. In still another alternative playing mode, the seventh card may be a community card shared by all players or another “non-player” card.

The outcomes of the 7-card wagers are then determined and settled prior to continuing with the Blackjack game.

Payouts on winning 7-card side wagers are preferably based on a scale according to a Poker rank of the 7-card hand, although as discussed above, the Poker rank may be based on the best 5-card hand from the seven cards dealt. That is, a higher Poker rank achieves a higher payout. For example, a Poker rank of two pair or some higher base rank may be paid 1 to 1 while a winning Poker rank of Straight Flush may be paid 40 to 1 or higher. Alternatively, a composite or fixed payout may be established for winning side wagers such that all 7-card hands having a Poker rank exceeding a predetermined Poker rank, such as Two Pair or Three of a Kind or higher, are paid the same payout. The fixed payout is preferably higher than 1 to 1.

The 7-card wagers are now settled. If the player has a losing 7-card hand, their bet (from area 14) is removed. If the player has a winning 7-card Poker hand, they are paid in accordance with the predetermined game rules, predetermined payoff scale or composite payoff, and the amount of their bet placed in area 14. As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, alternative payoff scales (e.g., in accordance with the particular casino requirements) can be practiced with the invention.

In an alternative playing mode according to this embodiment of the invention, a player wins the 7-card side wager according to a predetermined defining criteria. For example, a player may win the 7-card side wager when all seven cards or six out of seven cards are the same color. Other examples may include a number of cards being face cards (i.e., Jacks, Queens or Kings), a number of cards being higher than a certain number such as 9, a number of cards being lower than a certain number such as 6, etc. Those of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate many viable alternatives for the defining criteria, and the invention is not necessarily meant to be limited to one particular criteria. See also, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,860 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,993, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

After settling the 7-card wagers, the dealer proceeds with a Blackjack game. In this embodiment, the Blackjack game is conventional. However, other variant Blackjack games can be practiced with the invention. The Blackjack wagers are settled in accordance with well known principles and the particular aspects of the Blackjack (or Blackjack variant) game.

This embodiment advantageously retains all of the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of a proposition game side wager, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The invention thus benefits the player who desires a Poker type or proposition game as well as the player who does not want to leave a Blackjack game, but desires some variety. In addition, this embodiment provides casino operators with additional revenue generating features for Blackjack with acceptable volatility.

Another predominate feature of this embodiment is that casino versions do not require additional space or tables to practice the invention; rather the invention can be practiced with existing tables, preferably modified as illustrated in FIG. 1.

An additional feature is that this embodiment does not require any more game surveillance than a conventional Blackjack game.

Seven-Card Showdown

A second embodiment of the game according to the present invention is based on the concepts described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,145, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The game according to this embodiment, so-called Seven-Card Showdown Poker, is preferably played in a casino environment using a house dealer. The table is preferably a Blackjack style size with a special dedicated cloth layout. One or more decks of standard 52-card decks are used with regular established Poker rankings attributed to card combinations. Up to six players and a dealer can be accommodated, with each player having a separate and distinct betting area. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary table layout showing stations for five players and a dealer. The exemplary layout 30 includes a dealer area 32 and a plurality of betting areas 34. Each player betting area 34 includes a compulsory wager area 36 and an optional “against dealer” wager area 38 for a second playing mode that is without a house advantage. An optional “against player” wager area 40 may also be included for yet another wager without a house advantage available to the players. Rules and payoffs are shown, for example, in a center area 42 of the layout.

Preferably, a single standard 52-card deck of playing cards is used using conventional poker combinations, although multiple decks may also be used. In alternative playing modes, multi-playing modes could be contemplated, and other means for determining hand ranks could be used, such as numerical totals with a Blackjack or Baccarat count system. Still other alternatives could utilize dice with poker values or numerical values applying.

To begin game play, players place wagers according to game rules and are required to place at least a compulsory wager at wager area 36. Players may additionally place an optional “against dealer” wager at 38 and, if available, an “against player” wager at 40. Seven cards are dealt to each player and the dealer. Subsequently, the compulsory wagers at 36 are paid according to a payoff scale by comparing the player seven-card hands with hand ranks set forth on the payout scale. As discussed above, the payout scale may be based on poker ranks of the best five-card poker hand from the seven cards dealt or, more preferably, based on a poker rank of all seven cards. After resolving the wagers at area 36 against the payoff scale, “against dealer” wagers at 38 are either taken or paid 1 to 1 based on a comparison of the player seven-card hand rank with the dealer seven-card hand rank. Similarly, the “against player” wagers at 40, if included, are paid by each player for an amount equal to the amount wagered by the player(s) with the winning hands. In one playing mode, the dealer may also be considered a player for wagers at area 40 so that this mode of play can still be used in the event of a single player playing the game.

In the event of a tied hand for wagers at area 38, the wagers are pushed, and in the event of tied hands for wagers at area 40, preferably, tied hands split winnings. Odd chips may be distributed according to an accepted formula, such as either first hand to the left of rotating deal assignation, or suit order ranking of the highest card. For example, the scale of clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades could apply whereby if the highest card in each tied hand was an ace, then the ace of clubs would be regarded as the winner of the odd chips; and if the ace of clubs was not in the hands, then the ace of diamonds would be regarded as the winner, and so on.

Alternative operating modes of this embodiment could incorporate only the compulsory wager 36, the compulsory wager and one of the optional wagers 38, 40, or the compulsory wager 36 and both of the optional wagers 38, 40. One or both of the wagers at 38 and 40 may also be made compulsory.

Resolving the payout mode wager at area 36 is preferably done irrespective of the dealer hand. In alternative playing modes, the player hand must also be of a higher rank than the dealer hand to be paid the ranking odds, in the event that the player's hand rank is lower than the dealer's hand rank, the wager at area 36 may be pushed or taken according to game rules.

Where multiple players have placed different wager amounts, resolving the wager at area 40 can be done in any suitable manner. In a preferred operating mode, the player hand with the lowest wager is compared with all other player hands. The player with the best hand receives the amount of that wager from each player, including the dealer if the dealer is functioning as a player in this mode. That lowest wager hand is then ignored, and the player hand with the lowest remaining wager is compared and resolved using the same method. This process is repeated until all bets are resolved or until only one player remains. If the dealer functions as a player, then the bet is resolved by the same method as the player against dealer mode, whereas if the dealer does not function as a player, the surplus wager is merely returned to the player.

A desired house advantage is embodied in the payoff scale for wagers at area 36, and as the payoff wager is compulsory, an overall house advantage is effected.

Seven-Card Video Poker

With reference to FIG. 3, the concepts of the present invention utilizing seven-card hands can be embodied in a video poker game. FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot of a video poker game including an illustration of the seven-card payoff scale 50, a card area 52, a wager area 54, and a deal button 56. The payoff scale illustration 50 shows hand rankings and payoffs preferably for the seven-card hands as set forth above, depending on the number of decks used to play the game. The card area 52 illustrates seven-cards 58 in the player's hand and a “hold” button 60 for each card.

In game play, the player first indicates a wager by depositing a wager into a wager acceptor (shown schematically at 62), which is intended to encompass a “virtual” wager acceptor such as via the Internet, downloadable software, or the like, or by selecting a wager from stored credits or the like at wager area 54. When at least a minimum wager has been made, the player may press the deal button 56, and the player is dealt an initial seven-card hand. The cards in the player's hand are displayed in the card area 52. The player then selects which if any of the cards to hold by selecting the “hold” button 60 corresponding to each card. The player then again activates the deal button 56, and the player is dealt a replacement card for each discarded non-hold card to establish a player final hand.

The system determines a hand rank of the player final hand and pays a payout based on the wager if the hand rank exceeds a predetermined hand rank.

The system is preferably a computer-based system including a processor running a computer program stored in a memory and generating the display shown in FIG. 3. A user interface enables the player to communicate decisions to the processor. The user interface may be any suitable structure such as physical buttons, a touch screen display, or the like. Computer structure for operating a video poker game is well known, and further details thereof will not be described.

The invention should not be limited to the described video poker game as the invention may be embodied in many suitable variations. Examples include a 7-card game with no draw; a two bet game with wagers on the dealt hand and the draw hand; a three or more bet game with two or more draw opportunities and three or more pay scales; etc.

At regular 5-card video draw, many players have a more negative experience than they should as they do not understand the best way to play. That is, there are many complex situations often based on the fact that the game is usually Jacks or better, so giving a bias towards high cards. This would be eliminated by the 7-card version as the pay scale would start at either Two Pair or Three of a Kind according to the preferred embodiment. Another problem for an inexperienced player is to determine when to draw to a Straight or a Flush in a marginal situation. The 7-card version creates far fewer marginal situations, and these can be further minimized by creating a pay scale structure that ensures that the decisions are obvious. Therefore, the 7-card version has an ability to be played at a minimal skill level and as a result is more rewarding to inexperienced players than regular 5-card draw video poker, which is surprising as the perception of even those skilled in the art would be that a seven card game must be more complex than a five card game.

As would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a wide variety of forms and media including, but not limited to, single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software as well as in-flight, home and internet entertainment. In addition, the table game embodiments can also be readily implemented as a computer program product (e.g., floppy disks, compact disks, etc.) comprising a computer readable medium having control logic recorded therein to implement the features of the invention as described in relation to the other preferred embodiments. The control logic can be loaded into the memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU) to perform the operations described herein.

With the seven-card variations according to the present invention, player excitement and interest can be enhanced by providing a wider range of payout options and a perception that premium hands are more easily obtained. The embodiments are premised on poker concepts which are well-known and thus would not intimidate novice players. Additionally, the multiple hand rank possibilities also provide the possibility of very high payouts, which also adds to game excitement.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A video poker game method comprising: (a) a player depositing a wager into a wager acceptor; (b) a computer dealing a hand of seven cards to a player; (c) the player selecting zero to seven HOLD cards, thereby discarding seven to zero NON-HOLD cards, and drawing a replacement card for each discarded NON-HOLD card to establish a player final hand; and (d) the computer determining a hand rank of the player final hand and paying a payout based on the wager if the hand rank exceeds a predetermined hand rank.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) is practiced by determining a hand rank based on all seven cards of the player final hand.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (d) is further practiced by paying a payout that varies according to hand rank, with seven card hand ranks from highest to lowest as: Straight Flush Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind Flush Four of a Kind+Pair Three of a Kind+Three of a Kind Three of a Kind+Two Pair Straight Four of a Kind Three Pair Three of a Kind+Pair Three of Kind Two Pair Pair High Card.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein step (b) is practiced using a single deck of cards.
 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined hand rank is Two Pair.
 6. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (b) is practiced using six decks of cards.
 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein step (d) is further practiced by paying a payout that varies according to hand rank, with seven card hand ranks from highest to lowest as: Seven of a Kind Straight Flush Six of a Kind Five of a Kind+Pair Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind Flush Five of a Kind Straight Three of a Kind+Three of a Kind Four of a Kind+Pair Three of a Kind+Two Pair Four of a Kind Three Pair Three of a Kind+Pair Three of a Kind Two Pair Pair High Card.
 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined hand rank is Three of a Kind.
 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying a higher payout for the player final hand when the hand rank is a flush and another hand rank.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced using a single deck of cards.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined hand rank is Two Pair.
 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced using six decks of cards.
 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined hand rank is Three of a Kind.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying a payout that varies according to hand rank, with a highest hand rank being one of Seven of a Kind, Straight Flush, Six of a Kind, Five of a Kind+Pair, Four of a Kind+Three of a Kind, and Flush.
 15. A video poker game comprising: a wager acceptor that receives a player wager; and a computer communicating with the wager acceptor, the computer including a processor, a memory, a display and a user interface, the processor carrying out a poker game program stored in the memory based on user input via the user interface to drive the display to display images of the poker game program, the processor dealing a hand of seven cards to a player, wherein the user interface is configured to enable the player to select zero to seven HOLD cards, and thereby discard seven to zero NON-HOLD cards, and to draw a replacement card for each discarded NON-HOLD card to establish a player final hand, the processor determining a hand rank of the player final hand and paying a payout based on the wager if the hand rank exceeds a predetermined hand rank.
 16. A video poker game according to claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine a hand rank based on all seven cards of the player final hand.
 17. A video poker game comprising: means for accepting a player wager; means for dealing a hand of seven cards to a player; means enabling the player to select zero to seven HOLD cards, thereby discarding seven to zero NON-HOLD cards, and to draw a replacement card for each discarded NON-HOLD card to establish a player final hand; and means for determining a hand rank of the player final hand and paying a payout based on the wager if the hand rank exceeds a predetermined hand rank.
 18. A video poker game according to claim 17, wherein the determining means determines a hand rank based on all seven cards of the player final hand.
 19. A video poker game method comprising: (a) a player depositing a wager into a wager acceptor; (b) a computer dealing a hand of seven cards to a player; (c) the player selecting zero to seven HOLD cards, thereby discarding seven to zero NON-HOLD cards, and drawing a replacement card for each discarded NON-HOLD card to establish a player final hand; and (d) the computer determining a hand rank of the player final hand based on all seven cards of the player final hand and paying a payout based on the wager that varies on a scale according to the hand rank.
 20. A method of playing a card game comprising: (a) dealing three 2-card hands to a player and at least one non-player card; (b) forming a 7-card hand including cards from the three 2-card hands dealt to the player and the at least one non-player card; (c) resolving the 7-card hand according to a Poker rank of the 7-card hand; and (d) continuing with a Blackjack game.
 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the non-player card is a dealer card.
 22. A method of combining a Blackjack game and a 7-card Poker side game in a casino environment, the method comprising: (a) receiving at least a first wager from a player to participate in the Blackjack game; (b) receiving an optional second wager to participate in the Poker side game; (c) dealing three 2-card Blackjack hands to the player and at least one non-player card; (d) forming a 7-card hand including cards from the three 2-card hands dealt to the player and the at least one non-player card; (e) if the player placed the second wager, resolving the 7-card hand according to a rank of the 7-card hand; and (f) continuing with a Blackjack game.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the non-player card is a dealer card.
 24. A method of playing a casino game, comprising: (a) receiving a first wager for a first playing mode, the first playing mode being compulsory; (b) receiving at least a second wager for at least a second playing mode, wherein the second playing mode is without a house advantage; (c) dealing a plurality of cards to a dealer and to at least one player so that a player hand and a dealer hand each consists of seven cards, and resolving the first wager according to a poker rank of the player hand against a payout scale, the poker rank being determined based on all seven cards of the player hand; and (d) resolving the second wager without a house advantage according to the poker rank of the player hand against one of (1) a poker rank of the dealer hand, and (2) a poker rank of another player hand.
 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein step (c) is practiced by dealing seven cards each to the dealer and to the at least one player.
 26. A method of playing a card game comprising: receiving a wager from a player; dealing cards to form a 7-card player hand; determining a hand rank of the 7-card player hand based on all seven cards; and paying a payout based on the wager if the hand rank exceeds a predetermined hand rank. 